Brighton and Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton admits Bafana Bafana forward Percy Tau's future uncertain

Brighton and Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton has admitted that South Africa international Percy Tau's future is uncertain.

The highly-rated forward is currently on a season-long deal at Belgian club Royal Union Saint Gilloise from English Premier League (EPL) side Albion.

"That will be governed probably not by us, it will be governed by work permit, and then that will be a decision," Hughton told The Argus. 

Brighton are hoping that Tau's spell with Gilloise will help the 24-year-old player secure a United Kingdom (UK) work permit.

Tau joined the Seagulls from Premier Soccer League (PSL) champions Mamelodi Sundowns at the beginning of the current season.

"On any way he is able to get a work permit then we have a decision in the summer to bring him back for a period of time or go out on loan at a different level," he continued. 

"At the moment the level he is playing at is Belgian second tier. We can't make any decision on it. If he hasn't got a work permit then the decision is where he plays his football, not whether he comes back here or not," he added.

The former Witbank Spurs forward has been in good form for Gilloise in the Belgian First Division B this season - scoring goals and grabbing assists. 

However, Tau's future beyond his loan spell with Gilloise is uncertain as he cannot play in the UK until he gets a work permit. 

"Through our recruitment department and Davy Weir (below) he has very good contact with him. We get regular reports on the players out on loan, including Percy, and he is doing well," Hughton said.

Tau grabbed a goal and an assist during the recent Fifa international break as Bafana Bafana recorded draws against Nigeria in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier and Paraguay in an international friendly game.

"We are conscious of that. We are also conscious that he is doing well at international level, so that has got to be good for him," he explained. 

"But we can't many any decisions until the end of the season and the bit that is out of our hands is the work permit," he concluded.